mere
/mɪə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · [mˈɪr] /mɪr/ (ame, ipa) · [mˈɪr] /ˈmir/ (ame, mw)
mere — 形容詞
- merepositive
- merercomparative
- merestsuperlative
1. placed before a noun to show that the thing mentioned is very small, slight, or
區區
少得不值一提，或不太重要
placed before a noun to show that the thing mentioned is very small, slight, or not worth much attention.
The repair took a mere ten minutes outside the station.
那次修理在車站外只花了區區十分鐘。
a mere + amount of time
Gabriela sold the old desk for a mere five hundred dollars.
Gabriela 把那張舊書桌只賣了區區五百美元。
a mere + amount of money
The flood started from a mere crack in the garden pipe.
那場水災竟是從花園水管上一道小裂縫開始的。
Liam lost the match by a mere two points.
Liam 那場比賽只以區區兩分之差落敗。
The village began as a mere fishing camp by the river.
那個村子一開始不過是河邊一個小小的漁營。
- considerable
shows that the amount or importance is large
- substantial
stresses that something is large enough to matter
文法句型
a mere + amount
a mere + number + plural noun
mere + noun
用法筆記
Usually comes before a noun phrase about amount, size, value, or status. Distinguish from sense 2, where one thought, fact, or mention by itself is enough to cause a reaction.
2. used before words like thought, fact, or mention to say that just this one thing
光是
只憑這點就足以引發反應
used before words like thought, fact, or mention to say that just this one thing is enough to create a strong reaction or result.
The mere thought of speaking on stage made Yan's hands shake.
光想到要上台說話，Yan 的手就發抖了。
the mere thought of + -ing
At the mere mention of snow, Trang began planning a trip.
一提到下雪，Trang 就開始計畫旅行。
at the mere mention of + noun
The mere sight of the hospital door made Eshe step back.
光看到醫院大門，Eshe 就往後退了一步。
Ravindra smiled at the mere idea of summer by the sea.
一想到海邊的夏天，Ravindra 就笑了。
The mere fact that Lucas apologized changed the whole meeting.
Lucas 光是道歉，整場會議的氣氛就變了。
文法句型
the mere thought of + noun/-ing
at the mere mention of + noun
the mere fact that + clause
the mere sight of + noun
用法筆記
Most often appears in patterns such as 'the mere thought of', 'at the mere mention of', and 'the mere fact that'. Unlike sense 1, it does not focus on small size or amount, but on one thing by itself being enough.
常見錯誤
mere — 名詞
1. a small lake or pond, especially in literary or place-name English.
小湖
文學語境中的湖泊或池塘
a small lake or pond, especially in literary or place-name English.
A narrow path ran beside the mere behind the old church.
一條窄路沿著舊教堂後方的小湖延伸。
literary noun for a small lake
Ducks lifted off the mere when Ilan opened the gate.
Ilan 一開門，鴨子就從小湖上飛了起來。
Morning fog covered the mere at the edge of the farm.
晨霧籠罩著農場邊的小湖。
The children skipped stones across the mere after lunch.
孩子們午飯後在小湖上打水漂。
用法筆記
Mostly found in literary description, older writing, and place names. In everyday English, lake or pond is usually more natural.